Well, where do I begin... So many things lead up to this “adventure” so let’s just start in the beginning.

After a big weekend of farewells and a wedding I went to bed on Sunday night with a notification from Google saying that my flight from JHB to Sao Paolo had been cancelled. So I said “I need sleep, I will deal with this in the morning”.


I woke up much earlier than expected with a bit of gastro...needless to say I was relieved to remember that my flight had been cancelled, right? So I sent the travel agent an email asking what was going on and she just said that my CT – JHB flight had been cancelled and that I was now laving a little earlier...no problem, right? Slight problem, I was dead!!! After very little sleep for too many nights my body as saying NO! I could not move, except if it was from the bed to the couch. Here I have to say a very special thank you to Ven, if it wasn’t for you I would never have been packed and at the aiport. So thank you!


A few close friends and family joined me at the airport to find a very disinterested me sitting there waiting to greet them. Eventually I made it through security and to the boarding gate to find that the flight had been delayed...no problem, it’s all part of the fun.


After a flight which involved lots of sleep I got to JHB to be greeted by Ryan. I don’t think I have ever seen him accept my lack of interest in beer so easily. Needless to say he had to work in the morning and I did only arrive in JHB after 10pm. Ryan went to find us a spot to have a Coke while I went to check in...and so the real fun begins... I am informed that the flight had in fact been cancelled (well done Google) and I ended up in a hotel for the night, bad right? I don’t think I have ever been so happy to have a flight cancelled before! I was now due a good night sleep!


After exploring JHB a little, thanks Ryan, I was checked in and ready for bed and what a good sleep that was!

I made it to the airport nice an early, checked in and all was in order and I was now on my way to Sao Paolo!! Woohoo, this is when the excitement started to kick in. After a rather uneventful flight of n sleep and a few beers I landed in Sao Paolo to catch my connecting flight to Rio (which I had no idea what time it would be). After waiting, with many other passengers, for my luggage for over an hour (see pic) I was the last man standing with another unhappy lady (not pleased for it to be the case in this instance). We reported the luggage and then I got my connection to Rio hoping to still make it in time to meet my Couchsurfing host for that night. I almost get on the wrong connection only realising after passing the boarding pass check and then running to the correct gate...lots of fun explaining in nonexistent Portuguese what was happening, but we worked it out.


I only arrived in Rio after 11pm so decided it not to be worth looking around to find accommodation and travel around and I and no bag to look after so I found a bench and stole a few winks. I was actually very surprised at how much I slept but was I stinking! 3 days in the same clothes!!!


I made it to my Couchsurfing host early in the morning to get some inside info on the land and have a SHOWER (after buying some new clothes of course). I don’t think I have ever shopped so quickly in my life! I walked into one shop and paid and left.


I now sit here three days after leaving CT with an email saying that my bag will be in Sao Paolo today (very helpful)...
All I can say is, the adventure has begun!